Friction-drive mechanism



H. W. BELL AND H. L. H0YT, -JR.

FRICTION DRIVE MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED APR. I5. 1920.

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FRICTION DRIVE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 15, I920.

Patented June 6,1922.

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rarer FRICTION-DRIVE MECHANISM.

trusses Application filed 13pm 15,

To all 'zcho-mizfi may concern.

Be it known that we Hnnvnr l/V, BELL, residing at Yonkers, New York, and HAZEN L. Hora, J12, residing at'Great Neck, Long island; New York, citizens of the United States, have invented certainv new and useful improvements in lfiriction-Drive Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

T his invention relates particularly to motor vehicles suchns the small locomotives employed on industrial railways.

The objectsof the invention are to provide a simple and practical apparatus of this character which will stand the hard usage'to which such devices are subjected and which will furnish the desired changes in speed without undue wear" g of the parts, and which will also furnish at all times the required certaintv of drive and control of operation.

The various novel featuresofli' the inven tion. combinations and arrangement of parts will be disclosed in the course of the followingspeciiication which is to be read'in conjunction with the accompanying drawn; 'lorming a part thereof, and wherein l" have illustrated the invention embodied in a number of connnercial forms.

Figure l is a part sectional side elevation of the invention as applied to a single truck locomotive the outlines of the latter being indicated generally by broken lines.

Figure 2 is a plan viewof the same with the motor omitted.

Figure 3 a vertical sectional view taken sul'istantially on the plane of the line ;-li; of Fig. l. r

l igure 4 is a detail part sectional view of the friction disc and worm gearing.

l igure 53 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing an implication of the invention to a double truck locomotive with both trucks positively driven.

Figure ('3 is another View of a locomotive of this character showing only the front truck driven.

Figure 7 isan enlarged plan view of the fm'ward or driven truck mechanism of this last embodiment.

Like reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Inall the several forms of the invention for the purpose of changing Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 119 6, 19,2 2,

1920. Serial. No. 374,068.

illustrated, there is provided a friction drivingpinion or gear it) supported in fixed bearings and arranged for frictional driving engagement with the face of the friction disc 11. The friction pinion is splined or keyed longitudinally movable on a supporting shaft 12 which is journaled in fixed bear ings 13 on. the supporting frame 14. This frame may constitute the main frame of the locomotive and the motor .15 which, in this instance, is an internal combustion'engine, is shown mounted on this frame and di rectly coupled at 16 to the pinion shaft 12.

The friction disc is shownas carried by a substantially vertical shaft 17 journaled in a sub-frame ll 8 which is movable toward and away from the friction pinion for the purpose of bringing the gears in, frictional engagement. For this purpose the sub-frame is shown as pivoted at 1 9to the forward end of the main frame an d as shifted toward and away from the main frame. by means of a screw shaft 20. having'a bearing 21 inthe main frame and having a screw connection at 22 with the rearward end of the subframe. This screw shaft is shown as operated by means of a suitable handle 23 dis posed within the reach 10f the operator.

The friction disc is connected with the drive wheels in the first form of the invention shown by worm or spiral gearing con sisting of a worm or spiral gear 24.- on the disc shaft 17 nieshing with a worm gear or spiral gear which carries sprocket pinions 26 connected by chains 2? with sprocket gears 28 on the axles of the car.

With this constructii'n'i it is possible without disturbing the main bearings and without disturbing the positive drive connections to couple and uncouple the friction gearing by simply turning the handle of the screw shaft. It is oljwious that a comparatively slight n'iovernent of the sub-frame wil carry the friction gearing into and out of engagement and by reason of the screw shaft the frictional engagement may be regulated to a point where no slippage occurs and there is no binding or undue wearing of the parts.

The friction pinion is shown as shifted speed by means of a fork 29 engaged with the pinion and operated by a screw shaft 30 provided with a hand wheel 31.

Another special feature of the invention is the combining of the brake mechanism with the friction disc. This is accomplished by providing the friction disc on the under side thereof with a brake drum extension 32 and by mounting a brake band 33 by supports 34 on the sub frame,.said brake band being operated by the lever 35 having a suitable handle 36 disposed within easy reach ofthe operator.

It will be apparent that by operating the three controls 28, 31, 36, the driver may couple and uncouple the gearing, effect necessary speed changes and apply or release the brakes at will.

In the double truck locomotive illustrated in Fig. 5, power is transmitted to both trucks by means of a bevel pinion at) on the lower end of the disc shaft meshing with a bevel gear 41 on the longitudinally disposed shaft 42 journaled in the gear casing 43,.which is supported on the adjustable sub-frame, said shaft having coupled to its opposite ends by universal joints as, the propeller shafts 45 which carry bevel pinlons L6 in mesh with bevel gears 4;? on the car axles 48. The driven car axles of the two trucks are shown as coupled to the companion axles by belts or chains 49 and pulleys or gears 50.

l/Vith this construction the control is effect ed as before, that is by shifting the subframe and with it the main portion of the gearing, so as to carry the friction disc into and out of engagement with the driving pinion, the flexible connections to the car axles permitting of such adjustments. In the double truck locomotives illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, only the forward truck is driven and in this construction the gear case is mounted on and carried by the truck instead of being mounted on the sub-frame as in the preceding figures.

The vertical shaft of the friction disc in this construction is in substantial alinement with the king bolt of the truck so that the swiveling of the truck will. have no effect on the drive, and one or more universal joints 56 may be interposed in the connections between the disc shaft and the gear casing to allow for the rocking movements of the truck. These joints may also include sliding.connee tions to allow for any spring action of the locomotive carriage. The gears in the gear casing 55 may be of the worm or spiral gear type first disclosed or the bevel gearing disclosed in the second form, and the connections from such gearing are shown as sprockets or pulleys 5'7, chains or belts 58 and sprockets or pulleys 69 on the car axles 60.

The control of this form of the invention is the same as previously described, in that the friction disc which is supported below the friction pinion is shifted bodily toward and away from the pinion so as to effect the coupling and uncoupling of the driving force. This arrangement of the friction disc brings it close to the drive wheels allowing for short simple drive connections and enables the over-all height of the locomotive to be kept quite low.

The mounting of the driving pinion in fixed bearings insures that said pinion will run true at all times and obviates the need for any universal or flexible couplings between the motor and said driving pinion. This structure also permits of all parts being made rugged and strong, and in such simple form that they are not liable to get out of order.

\Vhile we have illustrated only a few of the possible forms in which the invention may be embodied, we wish it understood that modifications and changes may be made .in the structure without departure from the true splrit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a frame, a driving pinion journaled in fixed bearings on said frame but adjustable lon tudinally of its axis, a second frame. a friction disc journaled in the second frame and rotating on an axis substantially at right angles to the axis of the pinion, and means for shifting said second frame and friction disc bodily toward and away from the friction pinion. I

2. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a frame, a horizontal shaft jour na led in fixed hearings on said frame, a dr ving pinion longitudinally movable on said shaft, a second frame, a friction disc ournaled in hearings on said second frame and on a substantially vertical axis below the friction pinion, and means for bodily adjusting said second frame and friction disc toward and away from the friction pinion.

3. An apparatus of the character described. comprising a 'l'rame,a horizontal shaft join naled in fixed bearings on said frame a driving pinion longitudinally movable on said shaft, a second frame, a friction disc journaled in bearings on the second frame and on a substantially vertical axis belmv the friction pinion, means for bodily adjusting said second frame and friction disc toward and away from the friction pinion, supporting wheels for the apparatus. and aeariv from the friction disc to said supporting wheels including flexible connections allow ipg for the bodily adjustment of thefriction cisc.

at. In apparatus of the character described,

toward and away from the friction pinion, and a brake for the friction disc bodily adjustable therewith.

In apparatus of the character described, a driving pinion journaled in fixed bearings but adjustable longitudinally of its axis, a friction disc rotating on an axis substantially at right angles to the axis of the pinion, means for shifting said friction disc bodily toward and away from the friction pinion, a brake for the friction disc bodily adjustable therewith, and controlling means for the friction pinion, friction disc and brake operative irrespective of the variously adjusted conditions of such parts. I

6. A locomotive comprising supporting wheels, a main frame carried thereby, a subframe adjustably mounted on the main frame, a driving pinion journaled in fixed bearings on the main frame, a driven disc for engagement by said pinion journaled in the sub-frame, means for shifting the sub-frame, and flexible drive gearing from the driven disc to the supporting wheels.

7. A locomotive comprising supporting wheels, a main frame carried thereby, a subframe adjustably mounted on the main frame, a driving pinion journaled in fixed hearings on the main frame, a driven disc for engagement with said pinion journaled in the sub-frame, means for shifting the subframe, and flexible drive gearing from the driven disc to the supporting wheels and including gears supported on and movable with the sub-frame.

8. In a motor driven vehicle, a main frame, a motor mounted thereon, a shaft driven by said motor and journaled in fixed hearings on said main frame, a pinion shiftable longitudinally on said shaft, a subframe pivotally connected with the main frame, means for swinging said sub-frame toward and away from the main frame, a friction disc carried by a shaft journaled substantially vertically in the sub-frame beneath the friction pinion, a gear on the lower end of said shaft, a gear ournaled in the sub-frame and engaged by said last mentioned gear, supporting wheels for the vehicle, and flexible driving connections from the last gear to said supporting wheels.

9. In a motor driven vehicle, a main frame. a motor mounted thereon, a shaft driven by said motor and journaled in fixed bearii'igs on said, main frame, a pinion shift; able longitudinally on said shaft, a sub frame pivot-ally connected with the main frame, means for swinging said sub-frame toward and away from the main. frame, a friction disc carried by a shaft joi'irnaled substantially vertically in the sub-frame beneath the friction pinion, a gear on the lower end of said shaft, :1 gear journaled in the sub-frame and engaged by said last mentioned gear, supporting wheels forthe vehicle, flexible driving connections from the last gear to said'supporting wheels, a brake drum carried by the friction disc, and brake hand supported on the sub-frame and, movable therewith.

to, In apparatus of the character described, a friction pinion journaled in fixed bear ings and adjustable longitudinally of its axis, a friction disc journaled on an substantially at right angles to the axis of the pinion and provided with a brake drum, means for bodily shifting the friction disc toward and away from the pinion, and a brake band supported for engagement with the brake drum irrespective or the bodily adjustment of the friction disc.

11. In apparatus of the character described, a friction pinion journaled in fixed bearrugs and adjustable longitudinally of its axis, a friction discjournaled on an axis substantially at right angles to the axis of the pinion and provided with a brake drum, means for bodily shifting the friction disc, toward and away from the pinion, and a brake drum engaging member bodily adjustable with the friction disc.

12. Apparatus of the character described comprising a main frame, a shaft journaled in fixed hearings in said main frame, a longitudinally movable drive pinion keyed on said shaft, a sub-frame pivoted at one end to the main frame, a screw engaged with the opposite end of the sub-frame for shiftingthe same with respect to the main frame, a driven disc journaled on the sub-frame intermediate the pivoted and screw actuated ends thereof and adjustable with said subframe into and out of engagement with the drive pinion.

13. Apparatus of the character described comprising a main frame, a shaft 'journaled in fixed hearings on said main frame, a longitudinally movable drive pinion keyed on said shaft, a sub-frame pivoted at one end to the main frame, a screw engaged with the opposite end of the subframe for shifting the same with respect to the main frame,

a driven disc journaled on the sub-frame intermediate the pivoted and screw actuated ends thereof andadjustable with said sub- I frame into and out of engagement with the drive pinion, SUPpO'llllIlg wheels, and flexible gearing from the driven disc to said supporting Wheels. 7

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 'lllth day of i-lipril, 1920.

HARVEY WV. BELL. HAZEN L. HOYT, JR. 

